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SD House Committee Strikes Down CPC False Advertising Bill

The Health and Human Services Committee of the South Dakota state House voted against a bill that would have banned crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) from engaging in false advertising. The law would have prevented CPCs from falsely advertising that they provide abortion services. Lawmakers argued that the law was unnecessary since the state already has laws banning false advertising.

Alisha Sedor of NARAL Pro-Choice South Dakota stated that CPCs “should not be allowed to advertise services that they do not provide.”

Currently, there are an estimated 3,500 CPCs nationwide, most of which are affiliated with one or more national umbrella organizations. CPCs often pose as comprehensive health centers and offer “free” pregnancy tests. Some CPCs coerce and intimidate women out of considering abortion as an option, and do not offer women neutral or comprehensive medical advice. Often CPCs are run by anti-abortion zealots who are not licensed medical professionals.

National Partnership for Women and Families 2/6/12; Feminist Daily Newswire 10/21/12

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